Offsite restaurants...your favourites please!

[kitcat1]

I have a little book that I write everything in that we are wanting to do etc and have noticed that the eating out guide is relatively empty!! We liked the red lobster, sweet tomatoes and I think its called cracker barrel or something like that. I have seen reviews that cheescake factory is good and earl of sandwich but other than that the list is empty, so.....my question is......what are your favourites with recommendations from the menu and general costs. We are also celebrating our 25th anniversary whilst there so would like a really nice restaurant for that. So, its over to you lovely people......thanks in advance.

Cath

 

[Kath2003]

Depends what you're into really...

Outback - great for steaks. Same goes for Longhorn Steakhouse.
Tony Roma - good for ribs
Olive Garden - good for middle-of-the-road Italian. As is Pastamore and Macaroni Grill. And Carrabas.
TGI Fridays and Johnny Rockets for burgers. Cheap and cheerful.
For general American eats, Margaritaville and Hard Rock Cafe are fine (usually...). As is Houllihans.
People rave about Bahama Breeze. We think it's okay.
Fast food - sbarro for pizza, or Panda Expeess for Chinese (done American style). Subway is just the same (but cheaper), likewise Dominos and Pizza Hut.
For cheap breakfast: Denny's, Perkins etc.
The Cheesecake Factory - obviously...

 

[kitcat1]

Thanks for that, I forgot to mention that we also like rainforest cafe.....

Cath

 

[Elise79]

IHop for breakfast - love all the different pancakes - usually costs us abou $20 (2A, 1C)

Cafe D'Antonios at Celebration - nice pizza cooked in a wood fired oven & pasta - cant remember the prices but not expensive

Olive Garden & Outback as mentioned. Longhorn is similar to Outback.

We really enjoy Earl of Sandwich and I think it's good value too!

 

[tinks86]

We had a great meal in Texas Roadhouse on the 192 and keep meaning to try Texas de Brazil on I Drive which I've heard good things about. Cheesecake factory well worth a visit as well!

 

[kitcat1]

Good stuff......its all going down in "the book".....thanks

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Our family has several favourites .

Olive Garden comes in at #1. Their pasta can't be beat. And their breadsticks are divine. About $15 pp for a meal that includes some sort of meat, which includes unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks. Drinks are extra.

TGI Fridays is #2. They have a deal where you can get a full-sized appetizer, choice of entree (from a select list) and dessert for $12.99. Fantastic value and GOOD FOOD. Try the Reese's Peanut Butter pie ....OMG its amazing .

Chili's, Friendlys and Cracker Barrel all come in tied for #3. At Chili's you can get an appetizer to share and two entrees for $20. Friendly's has tons of combos that are $9.99 to $11.99 that include your entree, a drink and a fancy ice cream sundae. Cracker Barrel is good, old-fashioned food (complete with homemade buscuits) and runs about $10-$12 per entree.

Golden Corral has everything....literally EVERYTHING....on their buffet. Even cooked-to-order steak, macaroni and cheese, and chicken at breakfast. Awesome dessert line up, fresh baked rolls, and a chocolate wonderfall (dip cookies, marshmallows, etc.). About $13 pp for dinner, I think.

For cheap (but still good) pizza, Cici's is also a favourite. About $7 with a drink for an all you can eat buffet that includes soup, pasta, pizza and dessert. Cooks will make a pizza for you if you don't see your favourite on the buffet line up (just ask). There are tons of buy one, get one free coupons around too.

Checkers is good for fast food and very, very cheap. We love Popeyes for fried chicken.

Steak & Shake is our favourite for burgers. Priced like fast food but you get table service. A fantastic assortment of shakes that are sooooo good and ENORMOUS. Shakes are half price between 2 and 4 a.m. and pm, and will be about $1.75 each during the half-price happy hour.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Oh...almost forgot....and Buffalo Wild Wings for wing night.

Many of the places mentioned are in my trip reports (see links below).

 

[Kae]

Cafe Tu Tu Tango www.cafetututango.com we love both of Emerils places but Tchoup Chop is wonderful kind hard to get to but so worth it. www.emerils.com

Kae

 

[dixonsontour]

There are links in my signatures to my two dining on a budget reviews - lots of pics of offsite restaurants.

For a fancier meal - texas de brasil is nice. They often send decent discounts for birthdays/anniversaries if you join their email club.

 

[kitcat1]

Every time a new post comes in I look it up on google maps and then note the sat nav co-ordinates so that it will be easier to find......now gonna read the dining on a budget post then look at tu tu tango..... Thanks guys.....

Cath

 

[paulh]

another vote for cafe tu tu tango Banana pizza yummy
Outback never had a bad meal there all over the states in the years we have been visiting
logans road house excellent as well
had a cracking meal this time at ruby Tuesdays at vero there's one on 192
We much prefer fire-house subs over subway
used to go to panera bread but find its gone a bit expensive
Always try to go to Chick-fil-a
Anywhere that has orange chicken
bit of a drive but 4rivers just like a dinners drive inn and dives place (thanks ukdeb for the recommendation)
Best pizza papa johns for call out(have picked up from shop and it was spotless)

Paul

 

[1andrea]

I love Cheesecake Factory and Giordanos Pizza is great for stuffed pizza.

Golden Corral has an excellent variety and is very reasonably priced too.

At the malls I love the Orange or Sesame Chicken and Sbarros for thin crust pizza is good too.

Mmmmm 16 days and counting for us ........

 

[heatherlekay]

My family loves Bahama Breeze! Food and service are great and the prices are low. It's our must eat offsite restaurant. We also really liked NBA city. They have excellent burgers, salads and chicken Alfredo. Though for me the basketball decor just didn't give me the warm and fuzzies, the boys liked looking at all the memorabilia.
We usually eat golden corral for breakfast at least once during trips as well.